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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

2. Introduction
Genetic modifications are a result of technology that has altered the DNA of living organisms( plants, animals, bacteria).
Other related terms-
Genetic engineering
Transgenics
Recombinant DNA technology

3. Transgenic plants have been developed for a variety of reasons-
longer shelf life
disease resistance
herbicide resistance
pest resistance
enhanced taste and quality
reduced maturation time
higher yielding crops
more efficient use of land
can save money and promote higher profits

4. Gene Technology
Genes code for proteins
The sequence of bases in the DNA of a gene contains information to make a protein
Transferring the information from DNA to protein is called gene expression
Process of formation of protien from DNA:-
During transcription, DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA) chains.
During translation, mRNA moves to the ribosome, where the building blocks of proteins (amino acids) are added .
This sequence of amino acids ultimately forms a protein.

5. Golden Rice
Created by Peter Beyer and Ingo Potrykus of the Institute of Plant Sciences at the Swiss Fedral Institute of Technology.
Designed to produce β carotein, a precursor of Vitamin A, in the part of rice the endosperm.
Created by transforming rice with two β-carotene biosynthesis genes:
psy (phytoene synthase) from daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)
crt1 from the soil bacterium Erwinia uredovora

6. Vitamin A deficiency
Weakens the immune system
Can lead to blindness which increases the risk of death
Is entirely preventable!